| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the retention of certain genetic material and genetic |
|
|
information by the Department of Family and Protective Services. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, |
|
|
is amended by adding Section 40.084 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 40.084. RETENTION OF GENETIC MATERIAL AND GENETIC |
|
|
INFORMATION. (a) In this section: |
|
|
(1) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid. |
|
|
(2) "Genetic information" means information related |
|
|
to the genetic characteristics of an individual or the individual's |
|
|
family that is derived from the results of a genetic analysis. |
|
|
(3) "Genetic material" means blood or another specimen |
|
|
that contains DNA. |
|
|
(4) "Genetic test" means an analysis of an |
|
|
individual's genetic material to determine paternity. |
|
|
(5) "Testing laboratory" means any entity the |
|
|
department contracts with for the provision of laboratory services, |
|
|
including genetic testing. |
|
|
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the department and |
|
|
any testing laboratory used by the department shall promptly |
|
|
destroy any genetic material and delete any genetic information |
|
|
obtained from an individual for the purpose of a genetic test after |
|
|
the purpose for which the sample was obtained is accomplished. |
|
|
(c) The department and a testing laboratory shall retain the |
|
|
results of a genetic test. The results of a genetic test are |
|
|
confidential under Section 40.005. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the Department of |
|
|
Family and Protective Services and any testing laboratory used by |
|
|
the department shall destroy all genetic material and delete |
|
|
genetic information as required by Section 40.084, Human Resources |
|
|
Code, as added by this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |